Israeli settlers in the illegal outpost of Esh Kodesh near the West bank village of Turmusayya, on March 5, 2008 (File)

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- Dozens of Israeli settlers under the protections of Israeli soldiers reportedly raided an area near the village of Sanur in the northern occupied West Bank district of Jenin on Sunday and shouted racist and anti-Arab epitaphs at locals, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa.

The report said that the group of settlers broke into the site of an illegal Israeli outpost called Tarsla that has since been evicted, and “performed religious rituals,” as Israeli forces restricted the movement of Palestinians in the area.

The Israeli army had intensified its presence to the south of Jenin and the surrounding villages, stopping Palestinians in their vehicles and checking IDs, though no detentions were reported, according to Wafa.

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an they were looking into reports.

Many Palestinian towns across the West Bank commonly experience incursions by Israeli settlers -- who reside in the occupied Palestinian territory in violation of international law -- accompanied by armed escorts, resulting in severe restrictions on freedom of movement for local Palestinians.

Settlers who visit the religious sites in the occupied territory to pray often actively disrupt Palestinian residents and damage property. Meanwhile, Palestinians are restricted from visiting holy sites in Israel without hard-to-obtain permits from Israeli authorities.